Stapf Tapped As Utility Boss

BROOKSVILLE - County commissioners today are expected to hire Joseph Stapf as their new utilities director.

Stapf has 17 years experience in that position with the city of Wyoming, Mich. and boasts an extensive background in utilities and engineering. The position has been vacant since May 2007, when former county utilities director Kay Adams died.

In his cover letter to the county board, Stapf said he wanted to move to the area to be near his daughter and her family, who work in Tampa.

A suburb of Detroit, Wyoming has a population of 70,000 and a water supply system that services 13 other local units of government with a service area of 200,000 people.

As director of utilities, Stapf said he led his department through several major capital improvements projects, including a $26,000 expansion of the Wyoming Water Supply System.

Other accomplishments listed on his resume include: $16,000 of improvements at the Wyoming Water treatment plant and a $6,000 odor control project at the wastewater treatment plant.

With more than 200 employees, the Hernando County utilities department is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and management of all county-owned water and wastewater treatment plants, distribution systems, collection and transmission facilities, and all county solid waste disposal facilities and recycling programs.

Stapf would be involved in the building of a recently approved new water treatment plant, water storage facilities and wells on a 5.3-acre site off Hexam Road.

County utility department staffers believe the rapid growth in that area requires the building of a 24-foot high, 2-million gallon water storage tank, two potable water supply wells and a treatment plant that would service people as far east as Central High School and west to Glen Lakes.

When built, the system would provide secondary and back-up water supply to both areas and improve water pressure and service to Sunshine Grove and Hexam roads.

Plans are also under way for a $9 million capital improvement project to replace the Osowaw wastewater treatment plant in Spring Hill with a new system that disposes of waste more efficiently and without the smell.

Stapf's appointment is on the consent agenda of today's land use hearing, which begins at 9 a.m. at the Hernando County Government Center, 20 North Main St. in downtown Brooksville.